Dumars also said in Tuesday's interview there is no team mandate preventing him from paying the luxury tax for exceeding the salary cap. He said the Pistons paid the luxury tax in 2004, when they won the NBA title. "I have no edict that I can't ever cross the luxury tax," Dumars said.

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Right, like he would admit it if there was.

Yeah, I can't go over the cap, but that doesn't stop us from raising tickets prices. hehehe...

When asked if he was willing to offer Chauncey Billups a maximum contract, Dumars said "probably so." Billups can opt out of his deal after this season. "We're going to pay him, and we're going to pay him to make sure he stays here," Dumars said. "I'm not sitting here fretting about it right now because I know we're going to do whatever it takes to keep the guy here."

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Ok, correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the first rule of being a GM, NOT negotiating in the press?

And if so, wouldn't the second rule be "don't admit you're going to give a max deal"?

I am absolutely terrified of a 31 year old PG starting a long term max deal.

Would you believe a subtle ploy to make other teams think CB is a max guy so they'll feel good giving up someone good for him?

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Show me that GM out there who is stupid enough to trade someone good for a 31year old PG who's expecting a max or at least near max- deal? I know there are many dumb GM's out there, but this is probably not the right way to improve a player's value.

Show me that GM out there who is stupid enough to trade someone good for a 31year old PG who's expecting a max or at least near max- deal? I know there are many dumb GM's out there, but this is probably not the right way to improve a player's value.

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I bet Isiah would ship us Starbury for Chauncey. Not that Starbury would improve this team any tough. LOL

These are the exact same reactions I had when I first heard this (along with I guess Ben wasn't worthy but Chauncey is?)

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Don't get nervous people. Joe D. is not going to give Chauncey a max deal. They would not pay Grant Hill who at the time was younger and a better player. These are the same words that came out of his mouth when Ben Wallace's contract negotiations were getting under way last season. We have heard it before money will not be a factor we will get it done. BLah... BLAh.. BLAH.. Just like with Grant Hill and just like Ben Wallace some team will swoop in with a deal that Chauncey simply can't refuse and Joe D. will shrug his shoulders and be like we did our best to keep him.

Oh and by the way his 2004 going over the salary cap to pay the luxury tax was not that significant because half of Rasheed's salary had already been paid and they only went over by a couple of million dollars. It is not like the team went over by 10 or 15 million.

Is Joe Dumars worse than what he appeared two years ago or is he better than what he appears now? I guess what I am asking is, which one is the real Joe Dumars? He better snap out of it soon cause he is really making some boneheaded decisions lately.

Is Joe Dumars worse than what he appeared two years ago or is he better than what he appears now? I guess what I am asking is, which one is the real Joe Dumars? He better snap out of it soon cause he is really making some boneheaded decisions lately.

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Could the Teflon Man be involved with a lot of these decisions lately??

That's correct Winless. By my estimate, Detroit was the lowest salaried team to exceed the tax that year, and likely paid less than $3 million to win that championship (which needless to say, has netted huge returns...)

Show me that GM out there who is stupid enough to trade someone good for a 31year old PG who's expecting a max or at least near max- deal? I know there are many dumb GM's out there, but this is probably not the right way to improve a player's value.

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I would have traded for Magic when he was 31 if he hadn't become HIV positive (He retired the year after he became 31, except for the year he tried a comback when he was 36)

I would have also traded for John Stockton when he was 31.

And of course there was Michael, who most don't consider a point guard, but I do as I have posted many times) who played another 3 sterling years with the Bulls after he was 31 before he took up golf prior to his comeback attempt with Washington when he was 38.

Generally speaking though I would agree with you, however there are exceptions. Is C-Bill one? Don't know, only time will tell. Clearly though C-Bill is not in the class of the 3 I mentioned above.